Rork Projects today joined National Basketball League (NBL) foundation club – the Brisbane Bullets – to unveil the club’s commemorative jersey for the upcoming Indigenous Round.
In a landmark partnership, Australia’s leading Indigenous construction and fit out company Rork Projects will feature on the front of the Bullets’ Indigenous Round jersey which will be worn in Round 18 on 1 Feb against Melbourne United.
Rork’s sponsorship will support the Bullets’ commitment to creating a greater understanding and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, diverse cultures and rich histories.
The support is part of Rork Projects two-year sponsorship deal to be an Official Partner of the Brisbane Bullets announced earlier this month.
“As a national Indigenous business, sponsoring the Brisbane Bullets’ Indigenous Round for us is an exciting opportunity to celebrate and combine some of our passions – including Indigenous achievement, culture and the sport of basketball,” Rork Projects Co-owner John Paul Janke said.
“I grew up watching and being inspired by Indigenous Basketball icon and Olympian Danny Morseu and in particular his NBL championship with the Brisbane Bullets in 1987,” he said.
For Rork Projects Co-owner Brian O’Rourke, the chance to be the Indigenous Round Naming Rights Partner is an opportunity to celebrate and honour the important contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have already made to basketball in Australia.
“The Indigenous Round not only honours the past Indigenous heroes – but it generates a lot of pride, recognition and opportunity for the next round of talented Indigenous players to shine.”
“As an Indigenous Business we are committed to creating and supporting others to gain an increased understanding of this country’s First Nations cultures, traditions, languages and stories, both in the past and the present,” he concluded.
The inaugural NBL Indigenous Round was held in Season 2018-2019 to celebrate Indigenous players in the NBL over the past 40 years and is schedule for Round 18 in 2019-2020.
The two-year deal comes on the back of Rork Project’s ongoing support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and The Literacy For Life Foundation – and a recently launched Wa initiative to support other Indigenous foundations and not-for-profit organisations in their work in offering education scholarships at leading Australian boarding schools for Indigenous students.
The NBL’s inaugural Indigenous Round will recognise and acknowledge Indigenous culture and basketball across Australia and New Zealand.
All Indigenous Round games will include a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country, and other Indigenous integrations. Key members of Indigenous communities will be invited to all games.
NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “There are a number of Indigenous players, officials and administrators who’ve made an important contribution to basketball both in Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s important we recognise these key Indigenous figures in a meaningful and impactful way, while also acknowledging the contribution wider Indigenous communities have made to the game.
“We want to ensure others can follow in the footsteps of players such as Danny Morseu, Patty Mills, Nate Jawai, Paul Henare and Pero Cameron and the many others who’ve made such a huge contribution to the game both here and around the world.”